T-Money Card

The T-money card is a rechargeable smart card that can be used to pay public transit fares in a number of cities in Korea, including Busan. It can be used on the bus and metro systems, in taxis and for puchases in designated locations. Users can also build mileage points that can be used to pay fares later on.

Users of the T-money card receive a discount on bus and subway fares (W100) and can transfer without additional charges.

T-money cards allow you to transfer from one bus line to another, or from a subway to a bus (or vice versa) at no extra charge, as long as you board the next leg within 30 minutes of getting off the bus/subway. Just tap your card on the sensors as you get on and off the subway or bus, and your total fare will be calculated as if you were on one long subway/bus ride.

T-Money 'cards' come in many different shapes and sizes: standard credit card form, key chains, cell phone charms, watches, rings, stuffed animals, and for some SK Telecom and KTF subscribers, embedded into cell phones. They can be purchased at subway stations, convenience stores, and even online (Some information available in English on the site - note that registration requires downloading ActiveX). There is no special registration or sign-up required to use one (unless recording mileage points or requesting youth discount card), and they can cost anywhere from 2,500 to 8,000 won, depending on the style of T-Money that you get.

The original card was purple and that is the one often displayed in shops where the T-money card can either be purchased or where it can be used to make purchases.

Refunds on remaining balance or on non-functioning cards are available.Balance Refund: You can a refund on the balance remaining on your card from the convenience stores that sell them for up to W20,000. They will retain W500. So, if your balance remaining is over W20,000 or less than W500, you will to go to the Smart Card Office. Address: 10th Floor, Seoul City Tower #581, Namdaemunro 5ga, Jong-gu, Seou, 100-741. Map. Contact Center 1688-0120.Damaged or Defective Cards: If the card is not working, you can get a refund for the full balance as well as the price of the card within one year of the date on which you first used the card. However, if you've used the card for longer than one year or if the card has been damaged as opposed to being defective, only the remaining balance on the card will be refunded.

K4E Editor: We try to make the information on Korea4Expats.com as complete and accurate as possible, so if you notice any errors or omissions in the content above, please let us know at info@korea4expats.com